In the play Hamlet by William Shakespeare, the words "Something is rotten in the
state of Denmark." (I.iv.90) were spoken by Marcellous shortly after Hamlet leaves to
follow a ghost. Marcellous and Horatio both feel that Hamlet should not be left alone
with the ghost. Even though Hamlet directed them not to follow him, Marcellous feels
that it wouldn't be right if they didn't follow him because "Something is rotten in the
state of Denmark." (I.iv.90) When examined, that statement can refer to many of things
about the ruling class that are rotten in the state of Denmark
One idea of the rottenness is the marriage between Hamlet's uncle Claudius and
his mother Gertrude. Many consider the marriage almost incestuous, and Claudius feels
he must justify it by stating that he had the approval of the courtiers and that the marriage
was in the best interest of Denmark. The marriage is also suspiciously corrupt because it
took place only two months after the death of King Hamlet. Those circumstances cause
Hamlet to become extremely upset at his mother for her apparent lack of mourning and
helps support the idea of foul play King Hamlet's death.
Another example of the rottenness in Denmark is King Hamlet's death. Unknown
to the people of Denmark, it was Claudius who killed King Hamlet, and stole his crown
and his wife. Claudius had won the love of Gertrude and then murdered the King by
pouring the poisonous "juice of cursed hebona"(I.v.63) into his ear. This poison invaded
his defenseless body and "swift as quicksilver it courses through The natural gates and
alleys of the body."(I.v.67) In a sense the poison used by Claudius spreads throughout
Rottenness in Denmark is also seen in the ghost of King Hamlet. Just the sign of
a walking ghost is a bad omen in itself, a sign that something rotten will or has taken
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